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This study evaluated clinical factors and postoperative complications to determine which ones were associated with 30-day unplanned hospital readmission among patients undergoing surgery for malignant tumors of the head and neck. Further understanding of which complications are associated with unplanned readmission after head and neck surgery will allow for improved risk stratification and development of postoperative care protocols to reduce unplanned hospital readmission.

Aim The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has put health care workers at risk when exposed to aerosolized viral particles during upper airway mucosal surgery. The objective of this review was to discuss topical preparations that could be utilized preoperatively to help to decrease viral load and potentially reduce the risks of viral transmission. Methods A PubMed/MEDLINE database review of articles was performed querying topical preparations with virucidal activity against coronaviruses. Results Povidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) solutions ranging from 0.23% to 7% have been found to demonstrate highly effective virucidal activity against a broad range of viruses including several coronaviruses responsible for recent epidemics including SARS‐CoV‐1 and MERS‐CoV. Conclusions While specific evidence regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 is lacking, PVP‐I‐based preparations have been successfully demonstrated to reduce viral loads of coronaviruses. They are relatively safe to use in the upper airway and may reduce risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 aerosolization during upper airway mucosal surgery.

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